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Sykes Cup Review - Lepton shock Holmfirth On A Day Of Few Surprises

Shaun Alderson (pictured) with 131no and Liam O'Dea with 151no fired Skelmanthorpe to back to back wins as the Lidgett Lane men, Sykes Cup winners in 1990, 2007 and 2010, emphatically saw off the challenge of Cedar Court Conference team Cumberworth United.

Picture courtesy of the Huddersfield Examiner

Lepton Highlanders landed the biggest cup shock on an afternoon when results largely went the ways of the Premiership teams with some tall scores posted.

Lepton from the Cedar Court Conference emulated their high-flying league form to dump out Holmfirth who are a division higher from the Jedi Conference. A large target of 313-7 was assembled with Hussain (180) the mainstay of Lepton's innings. Holmfirth's reply stumbled especially when Bashir (3-55) got to work with the ball as the hosts booked their place in round 2.

Cup holders Delph registered another 300+ run innings in a comfortable win at home to Emley Clarence. Delph's total relied much upon a strong foundation with opening batsman Mosun Hussain scoring his second century of the season. Several batsmen piled on the runs with three strong inputs from Nathan Jones (41), Andrew Gleave (42) & Luke Hargreaves (46). Emley Clarence, themselves missing several first XI players, still displayed plenty of character in return; skipper John Lee (62) and Will Appleyard (75) helping them reach 180ao with wicketkeeper-turned-bowler Grant Jones taking 3-57 with his left arm spin.

Shepley successfully negotiated a tricky tie away at Slaithwaite. Danny Glover's men shrugged off the previous days defeat by restricting the home team to 175-9 with the captain taking 3-48. Opening batters Denton (40) and Dan Wood (88) set Shepley well on their way as they won by four wickets.

Hoyalandswaine also had a testing trip travelling away to Barkisland and put the hosts to the sword in convincing style. Barkisland's innings always felt a little short when you consider the batting power that Swaine have at their disposal as they set a 196-8 target to chase. Luke Bridges' half-century the highlight. Hoylandswaine lost some early wickets but the total was surpassed with the loss of only 5 as Max Joice (49) & new capture Mohammad Bilal (56no) contributed.

Armitage were another team to rack up the runs at home to Championship Kirkheaton. Daniel Moorhouse captained his team to their first win of the season in emphatic style totalling 356-5 from their 50 overs. Kiwi Jacob Curtling, in his second season at the Bridge firing a century. Kirkheaton had no answer to that, stumbling to 124ao.

Broad Oak, Scholes, Honley and Kirkburton all bowled out lower-placed opponents Mirfield, Meltham, Denby Dale and Almondbury Wesleyans for fairly low-par scores. Skelmanthorpe meanwhile were indebted to two centuries from Liam O'Dea (151no) and Shaun Alderson (131no) as they came out on top against near neighbours Cumberworth United, registering back-to-back wins in the process.

Golcar clipped the wings of high-flying Mirfield Parish Cavaliers in an intriguing match avoiding a potential banana skin given the recent form of both sides. Golcar made their class count as Louis Aspeling top-scored with 104no and captain Steve Whitwam notched 84. Mirfield Parish pushed them all the way but fell somewhat short on 250ao as former Barkisland bowler Rijnier Coetzer picked up a 5-for in their victory.

Shelley and Elland faced up in a battle of the two relegated Premiership teams with Shelley coming out on top. A score of 265-6 by Elland looked a tall order on paper for Shelley but they made it all look easy thanks to Louis Sykes' 111no as they overcame the Elland total for the loss of just 2 wickets.